Probably over thinking this.

Plywood would work - as would weed barrier/landscape woven matting, or any form of mulching material - whatever you've got handy. If you do decide to use plywood, suggest one sheet under the hive and another in front of it - with a few big stones or similar on top if there's any chance of the wind lifting it.
LJ

PS. You might want to consider spraying with Ammonium Sulfamate - kills just about everything it comes into contact with - even Mare's Tail.

I would look into carpet. You can find rolls of old carpet for free. Roll it out upside down, makes a great weed barrier for several years.

Old roofing shingles work real well too. I have used them for several years and they last. I have never had to replace any of them.
Ken

I use cardboard. Trouble with carpet is, if it get buried the plastic parts will never rot. You’ll never get a shovel in the ground without cursing .

You are probably spraying at the wrong time. Glyphosate works best after bloom. With poison ivy the best time is late summer just before it starts changing color.

"brush be gone" for poison ivy. Be patient it takes time and multiple sprays.

Poison ivy is tough but Roundup will kill it. Just spray it again a few times! My old boss when I worked in lawn care would mix Roundup with 2-4-D for poison ivy. Did the trick.

Biggest issue I could see from plywood, carpet, or any other ground cover is the mice that burrow under anything around here. Used to place rubber mats under a few hives and always had issues with mice in those hives every winter.

Thanks for the responses everyone...There are a few good ideas in here that I hadn't thought of. I have some leftover asphalt paper from re-roofing my shed, that might work well for the short term.

We do not use RoundUp on our property except occasionally for poison ivy. But I do mix up a vinegar based solution to handle the same general tasks....one gallon white vinegar, 1.5 cups epsom salts and 2 TBSP blue Dawn dishwashing soap. Safe for creatures.

I use shingles as a weed block. I go to HD and see if they have any shingle bundles that have been broken open. If they have any, they typically sell them pretty cheap otherwise they get thrown away.

I've used various things over the years with asphalt shingles working best. A strip in front of the hives allows me to mow without weeds growing too close to the entrances. Poison ivy has been a real struggle around here for the last couple of years probably because I didn't do a great job cutting the edges of the property back and now it's everywhere. I use poison ivy killer and sometimes have to go back and hit it again. Worse are the vines that are heading up the trees. I think you just have to keep at it and I'm pretty allergic to poison ivy so the task isn't an easy or fun one.

Be aware that the latest studies point to sub-lethal effects of herbicides on bees. It does not kill the bees, but effects the larvae and gut flora enough to negatively effect the hive. I might still be able to find the research paper.

Crazy Roland

I’m sorry. Respectfully, to those that mentioned it’s use, I would not spray Roundup anywhere, let alone around a bee hive.

Are people unaware of the class action lawsuits against Monsanto and Roundup’s connection to cancer? Just Google Roundup or watch the lawyer ads on TV.

Sandy Hamm
MS Entomology, UW-Madison

..

Ammonium Sulfamate

The herbicide is relatively nontoxic to bees, and can be used around them with minimum injury (14).

http://pmep.cce.cornell.edu/profiles/extoxnet/24d-captan/ammonium-sulfamate-ext.html

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Ammonium sulfamate is considered to be slightly toxic to humans and animals, making it appropriate for amateur home garden, professional and forestry uses.[5] It is generally accepted to be safe for use on plots of land that will be used for growing fruit and vegetables intended for consumption.

It is also considered to be environmentally friendly due to its degradation to non-harmful residues.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammonium_sulfamate

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Meghues said:

I use cardboard. Trouble with carpet is, if it get buried the plastic parts will never rot. You’ll never get a shovel in the ground without cursing .

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I hear you. We find carpet buried in various places on our land, including in the middle of the garden. It can broaden your vocabulary for sure.